Matt Thurber
Editor-in-Chief
Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.
Latest from Matt Thurber
Avionics
Garmin’s aera packs plenty in small package
Garmin late last year released a new line of compact handheld GPS units, the aera 500 through 560 series.
Aircraft
In the works: Cessna Aircraft – Citation CJ4
The largest airplane in Cessna’s CitationJet line, the CJ4, received FAA certification on March 12.
Aircraft
In the works: Hawker Beechcraft – Premier II
The Premier II program is making progress, with first flight occurrin
Aircraft
In the Works: Evektor – EV-55 Outback
On March 30, Evektor rolled out its EV-55 Outback, a nine- to 14-seat, high-wing twin turboprop, at the company’s factory in Kunovice, Czech Republic
FBOs
Judge suspends FBO services at Dulles Jet Center facility
Dulles Jet Center, the corporate hangar facility at Dulles International Airport in Sterling, Va., which suffered roof collapse due to a massive snowstorm
Aircraft
Chinese firm to buy Epic assets
A bankruptcy judge on April 12 approved an asset purchase agreement between China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA, also known as AVIC General Avi
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA levies civil penalty on ERA Helicopters
The FAA has proposed that ERA Helicopters pay a civil penalty of $260,000 for operating a helicopter on Part 135 flights without complying with required po
Accidents
Accident underscores importance of tire mx
The fatal runway overrun accident of a Learjet 60 on S
Regulations and Government
FAA to issue medicals for pilots taking SSRIs
Policy will allow pilots taking SSRIs to obtain a special issuance medical certificate
Safety
OEMs Advise Cautious Approach to Volcanic Ash
Operators of turbine-powered aircraft must avoid flying through volcanic ash clouds, according to engine and airframe manufacturers, but if ash is encounte
BBA Aviation divisions see slow business in ’09
BBA Aviation’s Aftermarket Services and Systems and Flight Support divisions have weathered the recession with a modest 7-percent drop in revenue for 2009.
FBOs
Bangor shines as go-to airport for transatlantic tech stops
For more than 40 years, Maine’s Bangor International Airport has been the go-to airport for transatlantic flights as the Eastern- most port of entry to the
FBOs
Morristown offers easier entry to New York area
Like many EBACE exhibitors, Morristown Municipal Airport (Booth No.
Maintenance and Modifications
Winglet mod approved for King Air 90s
BLR Aerospace’s latest product, winglets for the Hawker Beechcraft King Air 90 series twin turboprop, received certification in March by authorities in the
Aircraft
Special Conditions Show Cirrus Vision Progress
The FAA has approved two sets of special conditions for certification of Cirrus Aircraft’s Vision single-engine jet, an indication that the company has mad
Aircraft
Pre-owned Business Jet Sales Picture Improved
AircraftPost.com has added two new data points to its online information system for the medium through long-range business jet market.
Regulations and Government
FAA Proposes Change to Testing for Smaller VLJs
The FAA has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would revise the requir
Aircraft
Gulfstream G650 May Spawn New Jet Family
AIN has learned that Gulfstream Aerospace is working on new designs that may leverage elements of the new G650.
Charter & Fractional
FAA Suspends Darby Part 135 Certificate
The FAA issued an Emergency Order of Suspension to Part 135 charter operator Darby Aviation/AlphaJet International.
Aircraft
Bizav Flight Activity Still Gaining Momentum
TraqPak data released yesterday by aviation specialized services firm Argus shows that business aircraft flight activity last month rose 8.5 percent from a
FBOs
Judge Rules Dulles Jet Center Must Halt FBO Activities
Dulles Jet Center at Dulles International Airport has
Maintenance and Modifications
Tax Expert: Smart Parts Sales Tax Not Unusual
Although some operators expressed concern because Bombardier has
Maintenance and Modifications
ARSA Warns of Possible EASA Backlash, Costs
With passage of the FAA reauthorization legislation grow
Maintenance and Modifications
FAA Rewriting AC on Type Design Changes
The FAA issued draft Advisory Circular (AC) 21.93 “Determining the Classifica
Accidents
NTSB Highlights Inadequate Tire Maintenance
Yesterday the NTSB held a public meeting to issue the probable cause of a
FBOs
Sugar Land Tops AIN FBO Survey, Wilson Air MEM 2nd
The top FBO in the AIN 2010 FBO Survey–released this morning–is once again Texas City of Sugar Land-owned and operated Sugar Land Regional Airport w
Airports
Operators earn industry approvals
Germany-based ACM Air Charter achieved IS-BAO Stage 1 registration and earned a platinum rating from Argus International, under Argus’s combo audit p
Airports
Single pilot approved for North American Jet
The FAA has approved North American Jet of Charleston, S.C., to fly its Eclipse 500 very light jets in single-pilot configuration.
FBOs
Silverwing community advances at Sandpoint
The SilverWing at Sandpoint luxury residential community at Sandpoint Municipal Airport in Idaho is progressing, with completion of the first model unit an
